List the Diseases Caused by a Deficiency in Growth Hormone
There is some debate amongst the medical community as to whether or not a growth hormone (GH) deficiency can cause disease. What is more known is that often times, being treated with human growth hormone (HGH) for a growth hormone (GH) deficiency can ease the symptoms of disease.
We share a review of the literature to bring you up to date research concerning the debate as to whether or not HGH and disease are connected. We will share information about some diseases such as:
- Autoimmune disease
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Parkinson’s disease
In addition, we will share research that has shown how human growth hormone therapy can control disease or its symptoms.
Autoimmune disease
An autoimmune disease is when the body’s cells mistakenly attack its healthy cells. In a healthy person’s body, their autoimmune system is in place to protect the body from bacteria and viruses (germs). When a person’s autoimmune system is not working properly, it attacks and tries to kill healthy cells.
With this disease, the immune system releases autoantibodies (proteins) that attack parts of the body that are seen as being foreign. Joints and the skin are two of the most common parts that the body will attack. In simple terms, when a person has an autoimmune disease, his or her body virtually attacks itself.
Experts test for an autoimmune disease by examining the blood. Some of these diseases can be fatal, while others are treatable. HGH has been proven to help decrease and manage the symptoms of the overarching problem.
The following are only some of the most common autoimmune diseases:
- Lupus – the immune system attacks its own tissues causing pain, stiffness and inflammation in the joints
- Rheumatoid arthritis – a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the joints in the hands and feet, causing pain, swelling and eventually joint deformation and bone erosion
- Celiac disease – symptoms that are caused by consuming gluten that cause damage to the small intestines
- Multiple sclerosis – the immune system continuously attacks the protective covering of the nerves causing damage to the spinal cord and central nervous system. The symptoms can range from weakness to the inability to walk
- Polymyalgia rheumatica – severe stiffness and muscle pain around the hips and shoulders
- Type 1 diabetes – a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin
- Sogren’s syndrome – symptoms consist of dry eyes and dry mouth
- Vasculitis – inflammation of the blood vessels. Necessary blood flow to tissues and organs can be cut off
- Alopecia areata – hair loss
- Graves’ disease – the thyroid overproduces hormones and causes problems with the heart, muscles, bones and emotional stability (depression and/or anxiety problems)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – inflammation of the intestinal tract. There are two main kinds of IBD: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Psoriasis – a chronic condition of the skin where the life cycle of the skin cells speeds up. This causes extra cells to form on the surface of the skin. They are often red, scaly, patchy, itchy and painful
The symptoms that will occur when a person has any of the above diseases can be traumatic and can sometimes even keep a person in the hospital for long periods of time. A person with an autoimmune disease can lose much, if not all of their quality of life from more serious symptoms and/or complications.
HGH and autoimmune diseases can be related. Information obtained from The Original Voice of the American Academy of Anti-Aging, Preventative and Regenerative Medicine shared that chronic illnesses of the immune system can be benefited from human growth hormone treatment.
In fact, a specialist published an article stating that the treatment (HGH therapy) can impart substantial psychological, psychosocial and cardiovascular benefits to those suffering. HGH treatment can vastly improve quality of life.
Does a deficiency in growth hormones cause autoimmune disorders? There is not enough evidence to support the fact that depleted levels of GH can cause the above mentioned diseases.
Kidney disease
Kidney disease is usually a progressive illness that gets worse over time. In the beginning stages of the sickness, there usually aren’t any symptoms. When a person is suffering with kidney disease, the organs are not filtering out waste and excess fluids (through the urine) as they are supposed to do. As a result, dangerous levels of toxins can build up in the system.
Treatment for advanced stages of kidney disease are either a kidney transplant or dialysis. Dialysis consists of artificial filtering of the toxins within the organs. If this does not occur, the condition can lead to complete failure of the either one or both of the kidneys. This can be fatal.
One of the most dangerous factors about this disease is that symptoms do not occur until the condition is irreversible. By that time, it is too late to save the organs (one or both) unless a transplant or dialysis takes place. Human growth hormone can help to ease the symptoms that finally do occur during the final stages of kidney disease.
These symptoms are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath (if fluid builds up in the lungs)
- Chest pain or pressure (if fluid builds up around the heart’s lining)
- High blood pressure
- Swelling of feet and/or ankles
- Sleep disturbances
- Insomnia
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Severe weight loss
- Muscle cramping
The above list are all symptoms that may be decreased or at least possibly be made tolerable with the use of doctor prescribed HGH injections. There is no evidence that says using human growth hormone can cause kidney disease; however.
The most common link that kidney disease and a growth hormone deficiency have is that they are both caused by getting older. However, according to Pediatric Nephrology, growth hormone affects not only kidney growth, but also renal functioning. This makes sense in younger people because growth hormone is what helps all organs of the body to grow and work well.
The same source shared that either naturally produced GH or recombinant human growth hormone can help with the kidney filtration process and renal plasma flow in those adults who are dealing with a growth hormone deficiency.
Therefore, some people can assume that as a person ages and loses their growth hormone, this can contribute to kidney disease. On the other hand, there is no empirical research that states this to be a fact. With HGH therapy to raise and balance growth hormone in the body, this can eliminate a GH deficiency as being a cause of kidney disease, but to the contrary, confirm that therapy can help the organs to function better.
In conclusion, HGH and kidney disease do not share a strong enough link to be relatable as far as low GH being the cause of the disease. However, treatment with properly prescribed HGH injections can in many cases help symptoms of the illness to be controlled.
Heart disease
HGH and heart disease may or may not have a connection to one another. Some studies, such as one published in the Italian Heart Journal: Official Journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology pointed out that several papers have noted a “positive influence of GH in the regulation of heart development and performance.” In patients with a growth hormone deficiency, administration of HGH can dramatically improve cardiac function.
The New England Journal of Medicine shared that more traditional physicians need to be educated on the beneficial effects of HGH for treating heart disease. Although there are studies that show this to be true, many doctors fail to recognize the significance between HGH and heart disease.
It is rare when human growth hormone injections can cause heart related issues. However, this can happen as a negative side effect if a person abuses this medication. Taking too much HGH without medical supervision or buying tainted medication can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. This can lead to atherosclerosis, heart attack and/or stroke.
Mostly; however, studies have been demonstrating the remarkable relationship between human growth hormone treatment and the improvement of cardiac functioning, according to several sources including the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, chronic, degenerative neurological disorder (it will continually get worse with no cure) illness affecting the central nervous system. The disease distresses the nerve cells in the brain and hinder them from producing the correct amount of dopamine needed for optimal health and safety from this illness.
Parkinson’s disease symptoms include:
- Tremors in the limbs, hands or body
- Poor balance
- Difficulty standing
- Falling down or fear of falling down
- Difficulty with bodily movements or even walking
- Restlessness or inability to stay still
- Difficulty with coordination
- Rigid muscles
- Stiffness in the jaw or neck
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Drooling
- Rhythmic muscle contractions
- Confusion
- Dementia
- Difficulty with understanding
- Blank staring
- Difficulty with thinking
- Apathetic mood
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Impairment of the voice including soft speech
- Spasms in the voice box
- Difficulty with sleep, sleep disturbances or restless sleep
The studies on treatment of HGH for Parkinson’s disease are few. However, JAMA Neurology published an article that stated the following: “…patients who received cadaver-derived human growth hormone did not appear to be at increased risk for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.” We have evidence now that human growth hormone does not cause Parkinson’s, but can it help with the symptoms of the disease?
It would seem as though HGH injections that are taken to increase and balance levels of growth hormone in the body would help with the symptoms that go along with Parkinson’s disease. Since human growth hormone helps with the natural aging symptoms of mental awareness, emotional stability, sleep, body, joint and muscle pain, it can help with the similar symptoms that go along with Parkinson’s disease as well.
A prominent source, backed by a US patent shared that one method of helping to treat the symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s disease was using growth hormone. When it was determined that growth hormone was low in the patient’s body, HGH was used and this proved to be beneficial.
For more information about the list of diseases possibly caused by a deficiency in growth hormone please reach out to us via our online contact form. Our experts can also share more evidence of how HGH injections have helped with the symptoms of several diseases. Learn what disease is controlled by the use of HGH and how HGH can help improve quality of life for those suffering with sicknesses that do not have known cures at this time.
Our expert clinical advisors are well educated in the field of endocrinology and how hormones can help with the normal aging process as well as for those with incurable diseases. Share your general contact information (confidentially) with us and you can be talking with and advisor who can educate you about HGH and how it can improve your life.
National HRT Staff
Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.